Jewelry might look beautiful, but it needs care to stay that way. Learning how to talk about “jewelry cleaning” is helpful for you as an ESL learner, especially if you own rings, necklaces, or watches. This vocabulary is also useful when reading labels, asking questions at a jewelry store, or following care instructions. Let’s jump right in!

5 Vocabulary Words

1. Polish (Noun/Verb): A substance used to make metal or gemstones shiny; also, the act of shining them.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. The jeweler used a soft cloth and polish to clean the silver.

     2. I polished my bracelet, and it looks brand new.

     3. Be careful not to over-polish delicate items.

2. Tarnish (Noun/Verb): A dull or dark coating that forms on metals like silver when exposed to air or moisture.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. My silver necklace started to tarnish, so I cleaned it.

     2. Tarnished jewelry loses its shine over time.

     3. Keeping jewelry dry helps prevent tarnish.

3. Ultrasonic cleaner (Noun): A machine that uses vibrations in water to remove dirt from jewelry.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. The ultrasonic cleaner made my earrings sparkle again.

     2. Some stones are too delicate for an ultrasonic cleaner.

     3. Jewelers often use ultrasonic cleaners for fast cleaning.

4. Gemstone (Noun): A precious or semi-precious stone, like a diamond, sapphire, or ruby, often used in jewelry.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. Be gentle when cleaning jewelry with a gemstone.

     2. The ring has a large blue gemstone in the center.

     3. Some gemstones can be scratched if you use the wrong cleaner.

5. Setting (Noun): The part of a piece of jewelry that holds a gemstone in place.

   • Example Sentences:

     1. The diamond fell out because the setting was loose.

     2. A strong setting helps protect the stone.

     3. The jeweler checked the setting before polishing the ring.

I noticed that my silver ring and necklace had started to tarnish, so I brought them in for professional cleaning. The jeweler used an ultrasonic cleaner to remove dirt and then carefully polished the surface. He also checked the setting on my ring to make sure the gemstone was secure. Now everything looks just like new!